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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07331337

Scapular Strengthening Exercises in Patients With Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, affecting 1-3% of the population, typically in middle age and without gender bias. Evidence on the role of scapular strengthening in managing pain, grip strength, and functional limitations in these patients remains limited. This study investigated the impact of scapular muscle strengthening combined with conventional therapy versus conventional therapy alone on these outcomes in individuals with chronic lateral epicondylitis. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale, grip strength with a handheld dynamometer, and functional limitation with the patient-rated tennis elbow (PRTE) scale. The independent variables were the two treatment approaches: conventional therapy alone and conventional therapy supplemented with scapular strengthening.

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Key information

Conditions

Lateral Epicondylitis Arm Injuries Elbow Injuries Elbow Tendinopathy Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Tendinopathy Tendon Injuries Tennis Elbow Wounds and Injuries

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cooperative Institute of Health Sciences, Thalassery

Kannur, Kerala, 670105, India

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Chronic lateral epicondylitis,
  • Positive Mill's test.

Exclusion criteria

  • Fracture in the shoulder, wrist, or elbow region,
  • Upper motor neurological disorder,
  • Fibromyalgia,
  • Cervical radiculopathy,
  • Recent burn,
  • Peripheral neuropathy,
  • Any surgery on the upper quadrant within six months.

Treatment and study plan

Scapular strengthening and conventional therapy

Other

Scapular strengthening, along with conventional therapy that consisted of ultrasound therapy and static stretching.

Conventional Therapy

Other

Conventional therapy consisted of ultrasound therapy and static stretching.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain at elbow

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Pain will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale. This scale has a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 10. A higher score means a worse outcome.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Grip strength

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Grip strength will be measured using a Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer

  2. Functional difficulty

    Time frame: 4 weeks.

    Functional difficulty will be measured using the Patient-Reported Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTE) scale. This scale ranges from a minimum of 0 (no pain or disability) to a maximum of 100 (worst pain and disability imaginable). A higher score means a worse outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

King Saud University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Scapular Strengthening on Pain, Grip Strength, and Function in Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Jan 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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